Panama Canal – Jan 9

Panama Canal – Jan 9

We have been through the canal numerous times, so catching every minute of it wasn’t that important to us. Our slot was later than usual, and the transit was ahead of schedule. So, we planned lunch to be finished in time to see the start of Gatun Lake and Gamboa, but we were well into it and never anchored as the schedule said we would if we encountered traffic and had to wait.

It started out hot and sunny and by the time we hit the Miraflores locks it was dark and ominous and it soon started to pour. So, we saw the first 2 bridges Atlantic and Century. While it rained, we missed the Bridge of the Americas and Panama City. Ah well, we have seen it many times since we lived there for 3 and a half years. I said we got to experience both of Panama’s seasons, wet and dry.

We did notice that the Panama flag was at half-mast due to Martyrs' Day which is a Panamanian day of national mourning which commemorates the January 9, 1964 anti-American riots over sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone. The riot started after a Panamanian flag was torn and students were killed during a conflict with Canal Zone Police officers and Canal Zone residents. It is also known as the Flag Incident or Flag Protests.

U.S. Army units became involved in suppressing the violence after Canal Zone police were overwhelmed, and after three days of fighting, about 22 Panamanians and four U.S. soldiers were killed. The incident is considered to be a significant factor in the U.S. decision to transfer control of the Canal Zone to Panama through the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties.

When we lived in Panama we normally stayed home on that day.

Tonight, the show was an encore show by the comedian Gary Delena. A different show, but we have heard all of his jokes before.

We sat through the Abba trivia. Good thing we didn’t play, as neither of us knew very many.

Tonight, was the first of many that we get to set our clocks back one hour. Always nice to get that extra hour of sleep.

I haven't taken the time to do any photos so will add those in later. For fun I have included the link to our 2008 Panama Canal cruise that was our first time doing the transit. (so way too many photos!) Hopefully, the link works and all photos have loaded. 

Panama Canal 2008_04_10 - Google Photos

Tomorrow is a relaxing day at sea.